Canada, CEF. A First War Group to Pte S. Dwyer, 3rd Battalion, KIA at the Second Battle of Ypres, May 1915

A 1914-15 Star, bronze, full size, reverse impressed 9664 PTE. DWYER. 3/CAN: INF:, original ribbon, light contact, very fine.

A British War Medal, silver, full size, rim impressed 9664 PTE. DWYER. 3-CAN. INF., original ribbon slightly frayed with adhesive on the interior, minor wear, very fine. 

A Victory Medal, bronze gilt, full size, rim impressed 9664 PTE. DWYER. 3-CAN. INF., original ribbon, scratches to gilt, small area of damage to ‘D’ of DWYER on rim, near very fine. 

Footnote: Samuel Dwyer was born in Lancashire, England in 1885. He was a carpet weaver, and had served 3 years with the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment at the time of his enlistment in September 1914 at Valcartier. He named his next of kin as his wife, May, located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, USA. 

Dwyer served with the 3rd battalion, sailing to England in October, 1914. He was transferred to the 9th reserve battalion. 

He was reported missing on May 11, 1915. The records were updated in September 1916, as “presumed to have died on or since May 2, 1915.”  His MIA date aligns with the 3rd battalion taking part in the Second Battle of Ypres, where the first use of poison gas by the Germans took place.  He is memorialized at the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium.